Effect of Forest Litter Compost on Some Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Yield

Abstract

The effect of forest litter compost on some soil physico-chemical properties and cabbage yield was conducted at the Soil Science Experimental Area of the Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet from December 2015 to March 2016. The study aimed to determine: 1) the nutrient content of forest litter compost; 2) the effect of forest litter compost on some soil physicochemical properties; 3) the best rate of forest litter compost on cabbage yield; 4) the rate of forest litter compost that is comparable to the farmers practice (chicken dung); and 5) the ROCE of cabbage as affected by forest litter compost. Soil properties like Db, Soil porosity, WHC, pH, OM, organic N, available P, exchangeable K and CEC were improved with increasing rates of the forest litter compost as a soil conditioner and source of nutrients for cabbage production. The best rate of 10 tons ha-1 forest litter compost is recommended based on ROCE, however, 5 tons ha-1 is the one that is comparable to chicken manure in terms of soil physico-chemical properties and yield of cabbage. Forest litter compost is a potential organic fertilizer and soil conditioner to effect higher yield for cabbage production.